Mary A. Franklin died suddenly on August 20 at Roane Medical Center, Harriman, Tennessee at the age of 63. Mary was born October 20, 1942 to Edward James and Leolla (Thornes) McGarrah.

Mary was married to Samuel White Franklin in Kansas City, Kansas on July 31, 1960. Mary and her husband moved from Tacoma to Oak Harbor in 1993 as Pastor Franklin began his work with the New Life Missionary Baptist Church. Mary was the pillar of the church and its oldest member. Her husband Pastor Samuel Franklin preceded her in death in 2002.

Mary Franklin is survived by one daughter Teresa “Kathy” Johnson, husband Steve and her children Ryan, Breeana and Steve Jr. of Tucson, Arizona and one son James McGarrah. She is also survived by stepdaughters Yvette Franklin of Denver, Lucy Ann Rogers and Camille White, both of Memphis and two granddaughters Ada Moseley and Cloretta Franklin, both of Oak Harbor. Six sisters also survive her, Rosie McGarrah, Shirley Wood, Junie Burns, Doreen Shafer, Glenda McGarrah and Charlotte Moss and two brothers, James Edward McGarrah and Edward James McGarrah. Numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren and her special companion Chalupa, her dog, also survive.

Memorial services for Mary Franklin will be celebrated at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor on Friday, Aug. 25 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Roosevelt Rumble officiating. Cremation will follow. She will be buried with her husband at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Wash. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington.